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Locally acquired Brachylaima sp. (Digenea: Brachylaimidae) intestinal fluke infection in two South Australian infants

A R Butcher1, G A Talbot, R E Norton

  • 1Division of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide, SA.

The Medical Journal of Australia
|April 15, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Two children in rural South Australia were infected with a small intestinal trematode after eating raw snails. Praziquantel treatment cleared the infection and resolved gastrointestinal symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary parasitology
  • Human medicine
  • Zoonotic diseases

Background:

  • A brachylaimid intestinal trematode is endemic in South Australia, with a life cycle involving mice, poultry, and snails.
  • Intestinal trematode infections can cause gastrointestinal distress.

Observation:

  • Two young children from the same rural district presented with mild abdominal pain and diarrhea.
  • Eggs of a small intestinal trematode were identified in the children's feces.
  • Both children were observed consuming raw snails from their environment.

Findings:

  • The identified trematode was confirmed to be of the brachylaimid family.
  • Snails from the children's environment harbored infected metacercariae.
  • Treatment with praziquantel led to the clearance of trematode eggs and resolution of symptoms.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potential zoonotic transmission route of brachylaimid trematodes to humans via raw snail consumption.
  • Early diagnosis and praziquantel treatment are effective for human brachylaimid infections.
  • Public health awareness regarding the risks of consuming raw intermediate hosts is crucial in endemic areas.

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